Sunday, January 30, 2011

Patricia Linder

Patricia Linder, wife of the late Rear Admiral James Linder, recently notified me that her website now includes several photographs of her recent trip to Taipei. As I wrote earlier, she spoke at the opening of the American Footsteps in Taiwan exhibit there.

The website also includes video of her television interview in Taipei, during which she discussed many of her Taiwan experiences during 1977 to 1979 when her husband was the Commander of the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command. Her website is at PatriciaLinder.com.

I've long recommended her book "The Lady and the Tiger" which is available at Amazon for about US$20.00. Not only did I find it an interesting and entertaining read, but historically significant as well.

3 comments:

I almost finish that book. It is a great book beyond the words can describe. I stumbled on your TDC website and I think it is a wonderful work of what you did for an unique aspect of American experience.

Sir,This is Brian again, Taiwan Marine Corps. I have watched the TV interview and seen the pictures. Interestingly, I happened to see couple of guys who I have worked with before in the pictures. It not only brought me back to Taiwan but also to the history. I was so emotional when Mrs. Linder talked about the Taiwanese sentiment toward them when they were about to leave Taiwan. I can understand the hard feelings. Back to that old days, you were like the only friend who cared about us, helped us and defended us. The relationship with US were much closer than that with China. Suddenly, you all had to leave, the picture when Mrs. Linder depicted was just like a mom was forced to leave her kids. That's sad.It's good to see Mrs. Linder visiting Taiwan. Hope you all are doing all right, healthy and happy forever.Brian

I saw your website by chance while I was researching for a story I write for a local newspaper about the Taiwanese army after WWII. I'm ashamed as a native Taiwanese and not knowing the history back then from top to botoom. All I know is the US used to base in Taiwan...which is pretty much about it. Your blog is very informative and a joy to read. And I'll check out the book you recommended, thanks again for keeping the site

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Final Flag Retreat Ceremony

Overview

The United States Taiwan Defense Command was a sub-unified command which reported directly to the Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC). The command was composed of personnel from all branches of the U.S. armed forces and had its headquarters in Taipei.

Operational since November 1, 1955, USTDC was a planning headquarters for the defense of Taiwan and the Pescadores. In the event of hostilities, the Commander, USTDC, would have assumed an operational role and coordinated with the Government of the Republic of China in the defense of Taiwan and the Pescadores. In the event of such a contingency, three existing service commanders would have reported to the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command commander. The 327th Air Division commander would be the air component commander, the Taiwan Patrol Force commander would be the naval component commander, and the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) would be the Army component commander.

In addition to planning and peacetime responsibilities, the Commander of USTDC was assigned as the Single Senior Military Representative of Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC). As such, he served as CINCPAC's single military spokesman on Taiwan -- exclusive of the miliitary assistance program -- and assumed responsibility for coordinating administrative and other policy matters for all U.S. armed forces on Taiwan on behalf of CINCPAC.After twenty-three years, five months and twenty-six days of operation, the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command held its final flag retreat ceremony during the afternoon of April 26, 1979. Marine SSG D. J. Gemmecke lowered the colors for the last time.

Rear Admiral James P. Linder, the last USTDC Commander, departed Taiwan on April 28, 1979, accompanied by his wife Patricia.

Today there is no trace of the large American military compound on Chung Shan North Road in which USTDC was located. The area now contains a modern art museum, a park and a large sports stadium.

I am not a historian, but I do recognize that history unrecorded is history lost. My objective here is simply to record some of my own experiences as an Air Force enlisted man during my assignment to USTDC from 10 June 1973 until 4 September 1974, and to provide a platform for others to do the same.

Feel free to comment on any of these entries or to e-mail me with your own experiences and photographs. My e-mail address is displayed at the top and bottom of this column, or you can comment on any of my entries by clicking on "Comments" directly under each one.